The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1887-09-15
a JapanRse Magician.

Stories nf orieptM magic have alsay'
thci, own fascination one is half inclin-
cd credit the wise mon Of the east with
possessing tradition o. occult science
long lost among the restless changes Of
the west Such story nov came under
my notice. The khediye sent for me one
evening aud said;
II have something curious TO toll you.
There is Turk here 10 Cairo who wears a
ring which be pretends is gifted with
magic virtues | have seen him and The
ring il is plain hoop OF gold eel with a
red stone, which is said to have come from
Mecca The Turk also showed me plate
Of silver engraved with verfes from the
Koran. He explained that be could not
WORK tho charm himself, but required a
child under 10 years Of age. The child
takes the ring, the silver plate is put on
bis head, and 10 little while the color OF
the stone changes 10 white, Thereupon
the child looks into the stone. and secs Ia
il visions. aud can answer any questions. =
The khedive went on to say that, being
quite incredulous, he asked for permission
to take the ring home and try II IN private
The owner consented. So the khediye
took the ring to Ismailia palace, where
there happened 10 DO a little girl eight
years old belonging TO the nurse-an
igoorant child unable to read or write
when the plate Of silver was laid on her
head, almost Immediately she cried out,
"The stone has turned to white. The
khedye then asked questions about per
sous whom the child had not seen, aud
received correct descriptions Anolher
person present asked
"How many children have ?"
"Two sons and daughter"
That is right What is the elder son
like?"
"He wears a coat with row of buttons
down the front, and striped trousers aud
a sabre"
"What is the second son like?'
"He has a coat with two rows OF buttons
in front, little gold cushions on bis shoul
ders aud an anchors embroidered on his
cuffs"
The one was in the Turkish army, and
the other in the Turkish navy, and we're
both absolutely unknown to the child,
Oollusions we're impossible; for even
wizard would fud it hard to penetrate
into the ladies' apartment of the khediye's
palace Morever the questions were too
rapid and too varied to admit OF shufling
or guessing answers. The khediye's con
clusion was; 81 cannot believe it and yet
| cannot understand it,
After somc talk about English mesmer-
lists and claravoyants, the khediye related
that once, before he came TO the throne,
he consulted asoothsayer in company with
the ministers OF war.
"What is the news for Egypt" he asked
The soothsayer demanded two minutes
delay, and then replied, "War with Abys-
sinia."
"Wlll the Egyptian army conquor2"
"Give me six minutes" replied the
ioothsayer.
At the end of that time his face became
very troubled, bis voice faltered, and IL
whole body shook as he answered. "The
Egyptians will be defeated and their army
destroyed; only small remnant shall be
eft" The prince laughed at the prophe-
" and forgot it; but two months later the
same minister OF war showed him des-
patch from upper Egypt stating that the
army had been utterly routed, and four
oattalions out OF six annihilated. After
showing the despatch the minister remark.
ID: "Do you remember our friend the
iorcerer2" aud the prince recollected.
Vow as khediye he regards the thing as
curious coincidence Court Life IL Egypt |